Manager, Business Operations & People

NKPR•Toronto, ON

5d•Onsite

About The Position

NKPR is seeking an exceptional Manager, Business Operations & People to ensure the agency operates with a high level of excellence behind the scenes. This full-time, in-office role is based at their Toronto headquarters and is instrumental in fostering collaboration, mentorship, and culture. The position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of NKPR, overseeing people operations, recruitment, agency resourcing, office operations, and the internal systems and processes that support the agency. This highly visible role requires exceptional organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to anticipate needs. The ideal candidate enjoys creating structure, improving processes, supporting people, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. They thrive in a fast-paced professional services environment, take ownership, follow through consistently, and are comfortable managing people, processes, and priorities. This role offers an opportunity to play a meaningful part in shaping the employee experience and ensuring the agency operates efficiently.

Requirements

7–10 years of experience in business operations, people operations, office management or agency operations.
Experience working within a PR, communications, marketing, advertising, creative agency or other professional services environment is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience leading recruitment, onboarding and day-to-day HR operations.
Strong experience managing agency staffing, resourcing and workforce planning.
Exceptional organizational, project management and follow-through skills with outstanding attention to detail.
A proactive mindset with the ability to anticipate needs, solve problems independently and consistently deliver results.
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high standard of execution.
Strong financial acumen with experience partnering closely with finance to support budgeting, forecasting, reporting and operational decision-making.
Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and modern workplace technologies, along with a genuine interest in leveraging AI to improve productivity and operations.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within a PR, communications, marketing, advertising, creative agency or other professional services environment is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead recruitment and hiring across the agency.
Manage employee onboarding and offboarding.
Coordinate performance reviews and support employee development initiatives.
Maintain HR policies, employee documentation and ensure compliance with employment legislation.
Support employee relations with professionalism, discretion and sound judgment.
Foster a collaborative, accountable and high-performing workplace culture.
Lead employee engagement initiatives, internal communications and team recognition programs.
Lead agency staffing and resourcing across all client teams in partnership with department leaders.
Monitor workloads, utilization and team capacity to ensure resources are allocated effectively.
Partner with leadership on workforce planning and future hiring needs.
Continuously improve internal workflows, systems and operational processes.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency through technology and AI.
Ensure operational priorities, projects and initiatives remain on track and are executed effectively.
Partner closely with the President and leadership team on operational priorities.
Coordinate leadership meetings, agendas and follow-up actions.
Track agency-wide initiatives and ensure commitments are completed.
Improve communication, accountability and collaboration across departments.
Proactively identify challenges, recommend practical solutions and drive execution.
Serve as a trusted operational partner who helps keep the agency organized, aligned and moving forward.
Oversee internal agency communications, ensuring employees are informed about key business updates, client wins, agency initiatives and operational priorities.
Help maintain and continuously improve NKPR’s internal processes, documentation and operational playbooks.
Ensure the NKPR website and key brand touchpoints remain current and accurately reflect the agency’s capabilities, team and work.
Partner with internal teams to ensure external communications and agency materials remain current, consistent and on brand.
Champion the thoughtful adoption of technology and AI tools that improve efficiency, collaboration and the employee experience.
Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Toronto office.
Manage office facilities, vendors and building relationships.
Coordinate office maintenance, technology, supplies and external service providers.
Ensure the office environment reflects the professionalism and culture of NKPR.
Coordinate internal meetings, agency events and office initiatives in partnership with the administrative team.
Act as the primary operational contact for facilities, emergencies and business continuity, ensuring the agency continues to operate smoothly.